10 Things You Should Know about Me

1. Weirdly obsessed with Hawaiian culture. I love the food, the history, the flora and the fauna. So if any of you live in Hawaii, e-mail (missbunnysunday@hotmail.com) and tell me about your life in obsessively intricate detail. Please.

2. Cinephile, BIG TIME. Movies saved my life. My favourites: The Craft, The Blair Witch Project, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Up in the Air

3. Witchy New Ager. This pretty much sums it up:

4. Wanderlust. I’m constantly planning trips I can’t afford to far off corners of the globe. Upside: if you’re ever in Madgascar, I         know a great restaurant.

5. Frida Kahlo is my personal saint. I mean, just look at her:

6. Twin! I have a twin brother and yes, the thing about twins being weirdly connected is true:

My Twin Brother: Hey Randi, you know that guy who was in that movie and his dad invented shoes and now he’s in that          show that’s like an hour?

Me: Kiefer Sutherland? 

My Twin Brother: Ya, that guy!

Twinned!

7. Pisces to the core. Which means I’m very emotional and esoteric. The good news: if you’re a Cancer, Taurus, Scorpio or Capricorn we can be besties. Bad news: if you’re a Virgo you’re rolling your eyes right now.

8. Crafty. I like to paint and draw and stuff. I made this:

Notice that i forgot to give him a tail. I said I was crafty, not anatomically correct...

9. I like to read biographies and other non-fiction books. Because of this I know random facts, like the migratory pattern of narwhals in the North Atlantic and the ancient Pagan origins of most Christian traditions. Yep.

10. Speaking of narwhals, I love them:

That about covers it…

Tell me about yourself! I want to know who my awesome readers are!

5 Things To Do Before February 1st

1. Pick your Word of the Year!

Paint your word onto a piece of cardboard and tape it to the ceiling above your bed. Make a banner with string, paper and some glitter and hang it over your mantle. Like these:

from Cottage 960

via Katie's Pencil Box (click photo for tutorial) This one was originally for the holiday season. I love that line from "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." It would make a great Phrase of the Year.

2. Play in the Snow

This was the view from my apartment yesterday:

It was the first real snow storm we’ve had this winter, so Fiancé and I went out to play. He threw snowballs at trees and I threw snowballs at him… and then whined when he threatened to through them back at me (like the true feminist I am.)

I love being outside during a snowstorm; it’s so quiet, even in the middle of the city. The streets are empty and the only sound is the snow crunching under your feet. So, before winter ends, and hopefully before February, get out in the snow. Build a snow-woman or take a contemplative walk sans headphones.

If you live somewhere outside of a four season eco-system, take in the rain or the wind or whatever weather is manifesting during this time of year.

3. Create a Valentine’s Scheme

via Etsy

I love Valentine’s Day, but not for the traditional reasons. I’m not a romantic person but I love that in the middle of the bleakest, most colourless month of the year, pink and red hearts pop up on shop windows and in department stores. I consider Valentine’s Day decorations to be the first flowers of spring. Also, I love cinnamon hearts and rom-com’s from the 1980′s.

Find something about Valentine’s Day that speaks to you and celebrate it. It’s an opportunity for brightness and cheer in the middle of the long, dark winter. I’m going to be doing a “Valentine’s Ideas” post with a list of suggestions, but Horror movie marathons + Chinese food = a popular Valentine’s combo for many people… and by people I mean me.

4. Give up on your New Year’s resolutions

Who needs resolutions anyways? Don’t feel guilty about it. Commit when you are ready, not just because the calendar says “January 1st.” Plus, those adorable gym bunnies must be super annoyed that their pilates class doubles in size every January. And the cashier at the liquor store misses you. She told me.

5. Plan

via Goddess Guidebook

Invest in a yearly planner, journal, datebook or calendar. It’s easy for holidays and celebrations to slip by unnoticed while you’re caught up in the drama of daily life. Write things down! Put huge stars beside important dates like anniversaries, equinoxes or the birthdays of your heroes. Make a plan to celebrate them.

Also, spend some time reflecting on the previous year. What would you have done differently? What did you accomplish? What still needs to be done?

Goddess Leonie’s Workbook is great for this, particularly if you’re a creative, goddess-centered New Ager.

Or just journal in a spiral notebook or in a Word file on your laptop. Whatever works for you.

Links…

Valentine's Day is coming! (via weheartit.com)

This week was full of cinnamon hearts, slush falling from the sky and meddlesome cats.

I also drank A LOT of margaritas.

Soooo, without further ado…

Things That Make Me Happy:

I love cashiers. A nice cashier, barista or bank teller makes my day. Yesterday, a lovely cashier (who was possibly the nicest person I’ve ever met) made me SO happy when she told me that her sister used to make icing sandwiches when they were kids. Seriously, whoever you are Cashier Super Girl, know that you are AWESOME.

This blog post from Unicorns for Socialism. Alexandra Franzen is my hero. Just start there and read her whole blog.

SHARPIES!!!!!!!!!

I love cinnamon flavoured candy: cinnamon hearts, Hot Lips, Hot Tamales. They’re pretty much the only reason I embrace Valentine’s Day.

I joined Goddess Circle! Yeah, yeah, yeah! I looooove it. If you haven’t seen Goddess Guidebook, go now. Goddess Leonie is the living embodiment of positivity.

Pop Culture Happy Hour is my favourite podcast. It’s also where I stole the title of this post from. Listen on the NPR site or find it on iTunes. This week they talked about Oscar nominations, oh yes they did.

HAVE YOU SEEN MICHELLE WILLIAMS’ GQ PHOTOS?!?!?! She looks gorgeous! It’s a very Marilyn-esque shoot but she looks just as beautiful wearing jeans and a Mia Farrow haircut. The interview is supposed to be very revealing and raw. That’s why I love Michelle Williams; she’s the spitting image of honesty.

Also, the church across the street from my workplace put up a rainbow flag with a sign that says “All Welcome.”

As it should be.

I hope you’re weekend has been nourishing and fulfilling. Have a fantastic Sunday!

Paper Bag Princess

This excerpt from The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, one of 7 Year-Old Me’s favourite books:

Prince Ronald said, “Elizabeth, your hair is all dirty. You are wearing an ugly paper bag. You don’t have any shoes on and you smell like a dragon’s ear. Come back and rescue me when you’re dressed like a real princess.”

Elizabeth said, “Ronald, your hair is all nice. Your clothes are all pretty. You look like a nice guy, but guess what? You are a bum.”

They didn’t get married after all.

This book should be read to every little girl on Earth. As much as I love Belle and Esmeralda, FUCK Disney!

I like my princesses in paper bags.

 

Links…

Fiancé just gifted me a Cinnamon Dolche latte from Starbucks and I’m writing this in bed, still wearing yesterday’s makeup. Week 2 of my 4-month long temp job was completed with slightly less waterworks than Week 1, so I consider that a success. The past week was full of snow, Twinings Ultra-Spice Chai and many, many podcasts.

So, What’s Making Me Happy?

On the podcast “WTF with Marc Maron,” comedian Tom Glass came out of the closet (to the general public anyways) and the discussion that followed was honest and very intelligent. Go listen NOW. Find it on iTunes. excerpt:

“Leave everybody the fuck alone… let people do what they want.”

The Descendants won Golden Globes!

I cleaned the apartment. Trust me, this is a HUGE triumph.

Gala Darling affirms everything I’ve been saying about celebrating every day.

Weird winter weather in Ontario. On any given day this week I was snowed, rained and shined upon. I wore mittens and ballet flats. I love it.

I purchased a Hello Kitty blanket and have been wearing it cape-style for the last 3 days.

L’Oréal Colour Riche Balm is sooooo good. If you’re looking for an everyday lip balm with a bit of colour, this is it.

This Frida Kahlo coloring book is adorable.

This article on recognizing your inner critic is enlightening.

Sometimes, parents rock.

Comic Weirdness

This comic is full of amazingness! I read it and had to immediately share it with you because it makes me THAT happy. An adorable take on the concepts of “normal” and “weird.”

Read it NOOOOWWWW!

Please

P.S. I’m at least three of the people they mention.

Get Past the Daily Grind

via weheartit.com

Have you seen the Twitter feed #AmWriting? It’s a great compilation of tweets about, obviously, writing but also inspiration, creativity and great books. This Ray Bradbury quote came directly from #AmWriting:

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”

SO TRUE. Especially now that I’m stuck in an office environment, on a 9-5 timetable. And, full disclosure, I avoid the corporate 9-5 life as much as possible, so my heart goes out to amazing, creative people who are unhappy with their jobs and have been stuck in them for years upon years.

This quote applies to everyone, writer or not. The cold reality of daily life can be depressing. Try not to wish away your weekdays. Focus on your passion. Focus on your ideals. Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? Where will you be in 5 years?

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.

You  must stay drunk on art so reality cannot destroy you.

You must stay drunk on music so reality cannot destroy you.

You must stay drunk on travel so reality cannot destroy you.

You must stay drunk on friendship so reality cannot destroy you…

Bottom line:

You must stay drunk on your dreams so reality cannot destroy you.

I’m going to remember that Monday-Friday, when I’m deep in monotony and wishing it was Saturday.

 

January Full Moon: The Cold Moon

via weheartit.com

On January 9th (Monday) we’ll see the first full moon of 2012 grace the sky. This month’s moon is called the Cold Moon, for obvious reasons. Other aboriginal names include Mulberry Moon, Cooking Moon and Rainbow Fish Moon. Monday’s full moon will be in Cancer, the cardinal water sign, meaning things are going to be EMOTIONAL. All water signs deal with deep emotions and subconscious beliefs, and on top of this, Cancer is also ruled by the Moon, which heightens emotions even further. So, WATCH OUT. If you end up crying in a bathroom stall over Monday’s lunch break, know that it’s not you, but the moon who’s to blame for your mental breakdown.

Witchy or not, January’s energies are felt by everyone. People who make resolutions, start new projects and begin adventures this month are tapping into January’s creative, inspiring energy. This full moon is the perfect time to cast a spell for motivation and will power, helping you stick to your resolutions. It’s also a good time for cleansing, banishing and protective magic, for all your “new beginning” needs (good-bye crappy job!)

Set aside some time on Monday night to meditate, cast spells or ask a goddess/saint/friend for help with your goals and projects.

January Correspondences

Colours and Stones: white, black, silver, red and purple are January’s colours that can also be seen in this month’s stones: garnet (birthstone,) hematite, obsidian and sugalite.

Goddesses whose energies correspond well to January are Freya, Inanna, Hera, Juno and Pax.

Animals are traditional Northern, winter animals: foxes, wolves, coyotes and blue jays and geese.

Plants: birch, nuts, pine and thistle

Element: Air, representing new ideas or information, also the seeking of wisdom.

For more information see this post on New Year’s magic that can be done any time in January.

 

5 Life and Happiness Quotes from Liz Gilbert

I just started re-reading Eat, Pray, Love for the third time. I initially resisted the book (like a smug hipster) because I’d heard a bunch of stories about bored housewives who read it and then promptly jumped on planes to Bali, seeking enlightenment at the bottom of a cocktail or in the pants of a handsome stranger. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… but I was skeptical.

Highly skeptical.

But then I read it and I loved it, just like the millions of other people who’d read it before me. Which, let me tell you, was a blow to my ego because clearly I’d been a presumptuous wench and Elizabeth Gilbert put me in my place.

Also, I should mention, Elizabeth Gilbert is the particular brand of Whimsical-Neurotic that I enjoy but if you’re not of the same opinion, bear with me.

So, for your pleasure, here are some quotes from Eat, Pray, Love that I find comforting and inspiring:

 

“You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within it, no matter how slight.” 

 

“You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestation of your own blessings.” 

 

“That’s the thing about a human life – there’s no control group, no way to ever know how any of us would have turned out if any variables had been changed.” 

 

“I thought about one of my favorite Sufi poems, which says that God long ago drew a circle in the sand exactly around the spot where you are standing right now. I was never not coming here. This was never not going to happen.”

 

“I think you have every right to cherry-pick when it comes to moving your spirit and finding peace in God. You take whatever works from wherever you can find it, and you keep moving toward the light.” 

Rules for Movie Watching

Stitch rocks! (via weheartit.com)

As a cinephile, I always have a long list of movies to watch. Because of this, I’ve developed certain rules to weed out stuff I don’t like and focus on movies that have the potential to inspire or entertain me. This isn’t a “good movie vs. bad movie” system, it’s just a few rules that work for me specifically:

Rules for Movies I Watch

1. Any movie set in Hawaii – The Descendants, 50 First Dates, Lilo and Stitch, Blue Crush

2. Any movie featuring quirky misfits, nerds or weirdos – Almost Famous, Bridesmaids, Ghost World, The Craft, Judd Apatow and Alexander Payne films in general

3. Road trip/plane trip/vacation movies – Up in the Air, Almost Famous, Into the Wild, One Week

4. Movies featuring character actors I recognize but can’t name – Patton Oswalt in Young Adult (I seriously LOVE this guy); Frances Conroy – mostly on tv (American Horror Story, Six Feet Under) but I loooove her; Margot Martindale – Paris je ‘taime, The Hours; J.K. Simmons – Juno, Up in the Air

5. Horror movies featuring demons, vampires and witches – Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, Interview with the Vampire

6. Bad slasher flicks with boobies – Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, also any slasher movie shot in 3D… I know… I’m a weirdo.

7. Anything with Maya Rudolph – Away We Go, Prairie Home Companion, Bridesmaids

8. Any movie featuring Sad George Clooney (as opposed to Sauve George Clooney) - The Descendants (seriously this movie is SO good!), Up in the Air

Rules for Movies I Avoid

9. Movies where animals are lost, killed, endangered or abandoned OR where mommy animals die (f*cking Bambi)

10. Adam Sandler comedies from 2000 to present (with the exception of 50 First Dates *see rule #1) but I do like Spanglish and Funny People.

11. Anything with Cameron Diaz - every time I see her in a movie, it’s a role that’s incredibly sexist and shallow. Nothing against her specifically, but I can’t say that I enjoy famous actresses who consistently choose sexist roles (exception for Gangs of New York but, seriously, how did she get that part?) You could say the same thing about Katherine Heigl, Kate Hudson and several other actresses, I just dislike Cameron Diaz the most. Also, I used to not like Gwyneth Paltrow, but then she was on Glee and I kinda liked it…

12. Horror movies about aliens, mummies or werewolves

13. Any movie that takes place in outer space

14. Any movie shot completely in Motion Capture Animation – I grew up during the Disney Renaissance (The Lion King, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and I wanted to be a Disney animator when I was little. Needless to say, beautiful hand-painted backgrounds and hand-drawn characters are deeply nostalgic for me. I think the scenery in Fern Gully (not a Disney film) belongs in an art museum. I don’t mind computer animation, but I draw the line with motion capture animation. The point of animation is NOT to get as close as possible to reality. The result looks gross and artless. Motion capture is devoid of any heart and always leaves me thinking, “why didn’t they save their money and shoot live-action instead?”

15. Comic book movies - exception for Batman movies directed by either Tim Burton or Christopher Nolan

16. Anything produced by Jerry Bruckheimer – I seriously hate every movie and television show that guy has ever made. I realize I’m in the minority. When I think of a Bruckheimer movie, I just picture exploding robots telling bad jokes to ladies wearing push-up bras…. oh…. that’s why he’s popular… I get it now (I’m not even being sarcastic, it seriously just clicked.)

Again, these rules are skewed to my specific taste. What are your movie watching rules? What actors do you avoid? Who’s your favourite director? Tell me in the comments!